노래를 부르다
noraereul bureuda
Sing a song
Phrase in 30 Seconds
This is the standard way to say 'to sing a song' in Korean, combining the noun for song and the verb for calling.
- Means: To perform a song or vocalize a melody with lyrics.
- Used in: Karaoke (noraebang), concerts, or just humming while cleaning the house.
- Don't confuse: With '말하다' (to speak); singing requires a melody and specific rhythm.
Explanation at your level:
意思
To perform a song using one's voice.
文化背景
The 'Noraebang' (Singing Room) is a staple of Korean nightlife. It is common for coworkers to go together after dinner. Refusing to sing at least one song can sometimes be seen as being a 'party pooper,' though this is changing with younger generations. Pansori is a traditional Korean genre of musical storytelling performed by a singer and a drummer. The singer doesn't just 'sing'; they 'call' out the narrative with intense emotional labor. Fans often participate in 'fanchants' while their idols are singing. This communal vocal participation is a modern evolution of the 'calling a song' tradition. When an elder or superior sings, it is polite to clap along or even dance slightly to show support. This is called 'heung' ({흥|興}), a sense of collective joy and excitement.
Master the 'ㄹ' sound
When you conjugate to '불러요', make sure the 'L' sound is strong. If you say '부러요', it means 'to be envious'!
Don't be shy
In Korea, singing is about participation, not perfection. Even if you can't sing well, '노래를 부르다' with confidence is highly respected.
意思
To perform a song using one's voice.
Master the 'ㄹ' sound
When you conjugate to '불러요', make sure the 'L' sound is strong. If you say '부러요', it means 'to be envious'!
Don't be shy
In Korea, singing is about participation, not perfection. Even if you can't sing well, '노래를 부르다' with confidence is highly respected.
Object Markers
While you can drop '를' in casual speech, keeping it makes you sound more articulate in formal settings.
Figurative usage
Use the figurative 'singing a song' about a topic to sound more like a native speaker when describing someone's obsession.
自我测试
Conjugate the verb '부르다' into the polite present tense (아/어 요).
저는 친구와 함께 노래를 ______.
부르다 is a '르' irregular verb. The 'ㅡ' drops, and 'ㄹ' is added to the previous syllable, becoming '불러요'.
Which sentence uses the figurative meaning of '노래를 부르다'?
Choose the correct sentence:
In this context, it means the sibling is constantly asking for or talking about chocolate.
Complete the dialogue at a Noraebang.
가: 지수 씨, 노래 한 곡 ______? 나: 네, 제가 먼저 부를게요.
'-아/어 주실래요' is a polite way to ask someone to do something (sing a song) for the group.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: You are at a wedding and the host asks everyone to sing together.
'-읍시다' is a formal 'let's' ending, appropriate for a public event like a wedding.
🎉 得分： /4
视觉学习工具
常见问题
12 个问题노래를 부르다 is more formal and descriptive, focusing on the act of singing a specific song. 노래하다 is a general verb for the activity of singing.
You say '노래를 부르고 싶어요'.
Yes, '새가 노래를 불러요' is poetic and common in children's books.
Yes, whenever it meets an ending starting with '아' or '어', it follows the '르' irregular rule.
It means someone is constantly talking about money or asking for it.
You can say '노래를 불러 주세요'.
In very formal or academic contexts, you might use '가요' (popular song) or '곡' (piece/track).
No, for guitar you use '치다' (to hit/play).
It literally means 'Song Room'—the Korean version of a private karaoke room.
It becomes '불렀어요'.
Yes, it is the same verb used for 'calling someone's name' or 'calling a taxi'.
Yes, it is a common and correct alternative to '노래를 불러요'.
相关表达
노래하다
synonymTo sing
콧노래를 부르다
specialized formTo hum
노래를 듣다
contrastTo listen to a song
가사를 외우다
builds onTo memorize lyrics
성악을 하다
specialized formTo perform vocal music
在哪里用
At a Noraebang
민수: 지수야, 노래 한 곡 불러 봐!
지수: 부끄러워요. 하지만 한번 불러 볼게요.
Birthday Party
엄마: 이제 생일 축하 노래를 부를까요?
아이들: 네! 생일 축하합니다~
Complaining about a friend
가은: 철수는 또 게임 노래를 부르네.
나래: 맞아, 하루 종일 게임 이야기만 해.
At a Concert
팬: 가수가 이 노래를 부를 때 정말 울 뻔했어요.
친구: 저도요. 목소리가 너무 좋았어요.
Parenting
아빠: 아기가 잘 수 있게 자장가를 불러 줄게.
엄마: 고마워요. 아기가 금방 잠들 것 같아요.
Music Class
선생님: 학생 여러분, 큰 소리로 노래를 부르세요.
학생: 네, 선생님. 열심히 부르겠습니다.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'No-Rae' (No Ray of sun) until you 'Bureuda' (Blue-da/Sing) the blues away.
Visual Association
Imagine a person standing in a 'Noraebang' (Karaoke room) holding a microphone, 'calling' (부르다) the musical notes out of the screen.
Rhyme
노래를 불러, 마음을 열어 (Sing a song, open your heart).
Story
You are at a party. It's quiet and awkward. You decide to 'call' (부르다) for a 'song' (노래) to save the night. You start singing, and everyone joins in. The act of 'calling' the song changed the mood.
Word Web
挑战
Go to YouTube, find a simple Korean children's song (like 'San-tokki'), and sing along while focusing on the 'bul-leo' sound.
In Other Languages
Cantar una canción
Korean uses 'call' (부르다) while Spanish uses 'cantar' (sing).
Chanter une chanson
French 'chanter' doesn't have the secondary meaning of 'calling a person'.
Ein Lied singen
German lacks the 'calling' nuance of '부르다'.
歌を歌う (Uta o utau)
Japanese 'utau' is a dedicated verb; Korean 'bureuda' is multi-purpose.
غنى أغنية (ghannaa ughniya)
Arabic roots are more tightly linked between noun and verb.
唱歌 (chàng gē)
Chinese is non-inflecting; Korean has complex irregular conjugation.
Cantar uma música
The figurative 'obsession' sense is absent in Portuguese.
To sing a song
English 'sing' is specific; Korean '부르다' is broad.
Easily Confused
Both use '부르다', but one is for songs and one is for names.
Check the object marker. '노래를' means sing, '이름을' means call a name.
The verb '부르다' also means 'to be full' (stomach).
If the subject is '배' (stomach), it means full. If the object is '노래', it means sing.
常见问题 (12)
노래를 부르다 is more formal and descriptive, focusing on the act of singing a specific song. 노래하다 is a general verb for the activity of singing.
You say '노래를 부르고 싶어요'.
Yes, '새가 노래를 불러요' is poetic and common in children's books.
Yes, whenever it meets an ending starting with '아' or '어', it follows the '르' irregular rule.
It means someone is constantly talking about money or asking for it.
You can say '노래를 불러 주세요'.
In very formal or academic contexts, you might use '가요' (popular song) or '곡' (piece/track).
No, for guitar you use '치다' (to hit/play).
It literally means 'Song Room'—the Korean version of a private karaoke room.
It becomes '불렀어요'.
Yes, it is the same verb used for 'calling someone's name' or 'calling a taxi'.
Yes, it is a common and correct alternative to '노래를 불러요'.
